WDFW Director Susewind to take online questions from Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Lewis, Skamania, and Wahkiakum county residents

RIDGEFIELD – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind and his Southwest Region Director, Kessina Lee, will take questions from the public in an online broadcast from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17.

“Our southwest region is a perennial hotspot for conservation, fishing, and hunting issues,” Susewind said. “With its growing population and varied habitats, including the Columbia River, we face challenges in this area unlike any found elsewhere in the state. This digital open house will give us a chance to hear directly from those living in the region to help us continue providing great outdoor opportunities here."

This is the third digital open house held by the director on a regional level. WDFW’s southwest region spans Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Lewis, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties. Members of the public can watch and ask questions from links on the department’s website wdfw.wa.gov or at https://player.invintus.com/?clientID=2836755451&eventID=2019071003.

Susewind and Lee will share updates on a few local issues, including fishing and fisheries on the Columbia River, elk hoof disease in southwest Washington, cougar issues, and sea lion predation on salmon.

Last fall, Susewind held a series of in-person open houses across the state in Spokane, Ephrata, Selah, Montesano, Ridgefield, and Issaquah. Since then, he’s also held four digital open houses, allowing the public to ask questions and get updates on the department’s activities from their own home. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the state agency tasked with preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities.